University of Pittsburgh
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in cooperation with the National University of Mongolia



Learn About UHC Mongolia Field Studies Program!

The Program


The Mongolian Field Studies Program combines travel, coursework, intensive language study, and the opportunity to conduct independent research and/or internships.

Students begin the Program at the University of Pittsburgh with the World of Mongolia Seminar, which introduces them to the language and culture of Mongolia.

In addition to spending extensive time in Mongolia, students also travel to Russia, China. By traveling through northern Asia, students are introduced to the reality of Mongolia’s land-locked keystone position between China and Russia

Students will receive a total of 9 credits for the in-country portion of the Program, which includes opportunity for independent research and internships (3 credits), intensive Mongolian language study (3 credits), and lectures on contemporary Mongolia at the National University of Mongolia (3 credits).

With the mentorship of a Pitt faculty member and a Mongolian counterpart, students have gone into the field to research prehistory in the Gobi and to document the dynamic changes in contemporary Mongolia as it transforms itself economically from a socialist past to a market-based future.

Examples of past projects include:

Research Topics
Geology of the Khunny Valey
Bronze-age Archeology
Eco-tourism Industry
Women’s Political Parties

Internships
Khan Bank - Public Affairs
Electrical Engineering
English Teaching
Rural Medical Clinics

Program dates are as follows:

Depart for Ulaanbataar (UB) from U.S.
Early/Mid May
Depart UB to China
Mid May
Depart China for Russia
Late May
Return to UB
Early June
Program Ends / Depart from UB
Late July / Early August

Itinerary

· Departure in the first week of May.

· Weeks 1-3: Students travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Russia, China  Mongolia.

· Weeks 4-7: Students are enrolled in an intensive language and culture program at the National University of Mongolia (NUM).

· Week 4– 12: Students work on independent research, internships and are encouraged to independently explore Mongolia.

 

Program Costs
2008 UHC Mongolia Field Studies Program fee
UHC Mongolia Field Studies Program Fee
 $5,500.00


Fee includes:

  • Nine credits
  • International transportation
  • Housing
  • Course fees


Additional Expenses:

Note that these prices are estimates only. Please keep in mind that personal expenses vary widely, depending on lifestyle and travel plans.

Administrative Fee $350
Visas $200
Inoculations $100
Additional Meals $100
Personal Expenses $400

Students planning to extend their stay or travel extensively after the program is finished should budget more for personal expenses.

Please visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid Page for information funding possibilities.


Available Funding

Students may choose to compete for the following sources of funding:

 Freeman Asia Grants: www.iie.org/programs/freeman-asia/

NSEP Summer Grants: www.iie.org/nsep

Nationality Room Grants: www.ucis.pitt.edu/natrooms/

Rotary Scholarships: www.rotary.org

UCIS International Study Grants: www.ucis.pitt.edu/main

Office of Experiential Learning: www.pitt.edu/~oel/

Jack Wilson Fund (for service projects): www.pittsburghfoundation.org/index.cfm - to find information on this scholarship program, click "Search for Scholarships", then click "View all Scholarships", then do a keyword search for Jack Wilson.

International Business Center Grants: (business students)
www.pitt.edu/~abroad/finaid/index.html#pitt

Additionally, please refer to the Scholarships and Financial Aid pages for more options.


Housing and Meals
  • Russia and China - on train or in hotels.
  • Mongolia - UHC will arrange apartments.

Application Procedure and Requirements

Application deadline for 2008:

7 January 2008

  • Spring Registration: Complete Registraion Form and turn in deposit.
  • Register for the World of Mongolia Seminar (taken the Spring prior to departure on the Field Study Program), which provides basic language instruction and familiarizes students with varied aspects of Mongolian culture.
  • Develop a research proposal in consultation with UHC Staff. The proposal and an appropriate faculty member are an absolute prerequisite for participation in the program. Alternatively, students can find internships or service projects related to their studies.
  • Application:  Students must submit an application, curriculum vitae and research proposal to Amy Eckhardt,  Director of National Scholarships and International Programming of the University Honors College. She can be phoned at (412) 624-6881, faxed at (412) 624-6885, or contacted via e-mail at ave@pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in any academic major with at least a 2.75 QPA are encouraged to apply. Pitt students that do not have a 2.75 QPA will need approval from their school. If you would like to spend your final term abroad, you must also obtain special approval.


Contact Information

For information regarding the program, Visit the University Honors College Web Page and/or contact:

Jeff Whitehead
Advisor / Program Manager
Study Abroad Office
802 William Pitt Union
Pittsburgh, PA 15260


phone - 412.648.2299
fax - 412-383-7166
whitehead@ucis.pitt.edu
Amy Eckhardt
Director of National Scholarships
and International Programming
University Honors College
3500 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

phone - 412.624.6881
Toll Free - 1.800.446.6748
fax - 412.624.6885
ave@pitt.edu

Back to Study Abroad Programs
last updated - 31 November 2007